JPS63311907A - Washing brush - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning brush of the type that can be connected to a source of water under pressure. In one particular form, the invention is applicable to such brushes having means for storing and dispensing detergent or other cleaning agents. For the sake of convenience, the present invention will be particularly described in connection with the types of brushes described below, although the present invention may have other applications as well.

PRIOR ART Cleaning brushes of the above type generally have a movable head which supports the bristles and other brush elements. This head can be arranged to rotate or vibrate as a result of water passing through the brush. Brushes with rotating heads generally use a Belton wheel or the like which relies on the rotation of the water motion biplash, but such drive means cannot produce sufficient torque to cope with all usage situations. As a result,
The brush head may stop rotating, or at least rotate at a slow speed, when pressed against the surface being cleaned. Brushes with vibrating heads are also inefficient because when the head presses against the surface being cleaned, at least some, if not all, of the vibrations are transferred to the body of the brush.

PROBLEM SOLVED BY THE INVENTION Conventional brushes that require a means for dispensing cleaning agent have an additional problem. Typically, the cleaning agent enters the brush and is introduced directly into the water stream passing through it. If water is supplied from the main source, there is always the possibility of a reverse siphon effect in which cleaning agent is drawn into the main source.

As a result, it is very dangerous to health and has been the subject of criticism from various water authorities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a movable head type that includes a relatively reliable drive means for the head to provide effective cleaning under a variety of conditions of use. The purpose is to provide a cleaning brush for cleaning. Another object of the invention is to provide such a brush which, in a preferred form, includes a water distribution system and cleaning agent dispensing means arranged to at least minimize the risk of reverse siphoning as described above. .

The brush of the invention is characterized in that the movable head is driven by a hydraulic gear motor via a positive drive connection. 1
In one preferred version, the brush is further characterized in that the water supplied to the head and other parts of the brush contaminated with the cleaning agent is separated from this contaminated area by means of an air gear. In the case of reverse siphoning, air is drawn back into the water supply pipe rather than into the cleaning agent or water contaminated by this cleaning agent.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments shown.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The illustrated cleaning brush 1 includes a hollow body 2 which can be molded from plastic or plastic. In the illustrated structure, the main body 2
has an upper wall 3, a lower wall 4 and a surrounding side wall 5. Although the illustrated body is generally rectangular in circumference, other shapes are possible. An elongated handle 6 extends from the side wall at one end of the body 2 and supports a water supply conduit 7, which will be described below.

Two rotatable heads 8 are mounted on the lower wall of the body 2, in the preferred form of the invention a fixed brush part 9 and a movable brush part 8? : Surrounding. In the illustrated construction, two movable heads 8 are each rotatably mounted to the lower wall 4 of the body 2 near respective ends of the body 2. Each rotatable head 8 is preferably formed in two parts, namely a carrier 10 and a replaceable part 11. carrier 1
0 includes a circular disc part 12 and an axel part 13 which extends in the axial direction of the disc-shaped part 12 and is rotatably mounted on the lower wall 4 of the brush body 2. A circular hub 14 extends axially from the side of the disk-shaped portion 12 opposite to the side from which the axle 16 projects.

The replaceable part 11 includes an annular portion 15 formed of, for example, plastic, lumber or other relatively strong material, with a series of bristles supported by the annular portion 15 and projecting from its outer edge. The term ``bristle'' refers to natural or synthetic materials that are often used to clean the surface of the brush.
It is to be understood that fibrous materials suitable for use as components are included. Preferably, there are two annular series of bristles arranged concentrically, one inside the other. Additionally, the bristles generally have an annular portion 15
Preferably, it is inclined radially outwardly at a slight angle in a direction away from. Preferably, the annular portion 15 is removably attached to the disc-shaped portion 12 of the carrier 10 by snapping into the hub 14 thereof. Outwardly directed ears 17 formed on the hub 14 connect the annular portion 15 to the hub 1.
Can be fixed to 4.

Preferably, the connection between the hub 14 and the annular portion 15 ensures that they do not rotate relative to each other. To this end, at least one tightening of the annular portion 15 can be achieved by providing ears in order to engage corresponding holes or recesses provided in the hub 14. Preferably, the ears 17 locking the annular portion 15 to the hub 14 secure the annular portion and the hub from rotation relative to each other.

Obviously, the positions of the ear and the hole or recess can be reversed.

The stationary brush portion 9 may include a series of bristles as described above mounted around the lower wall 4 of the body and projecting therefrom to form a continuous skirt around the movable head 8. The bristles forming the fixed brush part can be at the same angle as the bristles 16 of the movable head 8.
can protrude a small distance beyond the distal end 20 of.

The drive means 21 for the movable head 8 include a gear motor 22, which in the illustrated embodiment is positioned within the hollow body 2 of the brush 1. This motor 22 is
It has a drive shaft 23 which may be of any conventional construction and projects through the lower wall 4 of the body.

The drive motor 22 of this embodiment is clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 4. The drive motor 22 includes a pair of gear members 24, 25Y that mesh and engage with each other. Drive shaft 23 is fixed to gear member 25 for rotation therewith. The gear members 24, 25 are housed within the housing 26 of the gear motor, and the body 27 of this housing
The profile is such that it conforms to the shape of the engaged gear members. A cover plate 28 is provided for sealing against the upper portion 29' of the drive motor housing 26.

The cover plate 28 has an inlet hole 60 therethrough through which water is introduced to the drive motor to drive the motor. The inlet hole 30 is connected to a valve plate 31 which will be described in detail later.
It can be closed by

There is an outlet 3 on the opposite side of the housing 26 to the side where the artificial hole 60 is provided.
Water passing between the two gear members 24 and 25 is discharged through this outlet.

The lower wall 4 of the body 2 forms an upright, round wall '56 shaped to accommodate a gear motor.

This force, the wall 33, is clearly shown in FIG.

When the housing 26 of the gear drive motor is positioned within the ring wall 33, a cavity is formed below the outlet 32 from the housing 26 between the outer surface 64 of the housing 26 and the inner surface 35 of the ring wall 66. be done. Force, pu-shaped wall 65zt
- A penetrating outlet passage 66 forms an outlet from this cavity.

The head 8 is actuated by passing water under pressure through the drive motor 22. The water flowing into the motor 22 is controlled by a valve so that the rotational speed of the movable head 80 can be regulated.

The inflow of water into the gear motor as described above is controlled by a valve, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a valve plate 61. A cover member 37 is positioned within the main body 2 and is ultrasonically sealed to the tubular wall 33 to form a chamber 37 above the drive motor 22. Water is preferably introduced into the chamber 38 through a tubular member 69 which projects laterally outwardly from one side wall of the cover member in the direction of the handle 6 described above. The valve means for controlling the passage of water from chamber 28 to gear motor 22 includes a valve plate 31 rotatable about an axis 40 extending across upper wall 3 of the body. This valve plate 31 controls the size of an inlet hole 30 in the cover plate 28 through which water flows from the chamber 38 to the gear motor 22, the size of which changes depending on the rotational position of the valve plate 61. An upright ear-shaped projection 41 provided on the cover plate 28 connects to the valve plate 6.
It is located in an arcuate slot 42 formed in 1. This
limits the arc of rotation of the cover plate to about 30'.

The valve plate 61 is rotated by a spindle 43 attached to it or formed integrally therewith, which spindle projects through the upper wall 6 of the body. As shown in FIG. 2, a suitable manual switch 44 is mounted on the outside of the main body 2 and is operated by hand.

In the illustrated embodiment, this lever 44 is positioned within a recess 45 in the outer surface of the earthen wall and is protected from accidental engagement during use of the brush 1.

Two O-IJ song bars 46 provided on both sides of the valve plate 61 seal the upper surface 47 and lower surface 48 of the valve plate 61 from being affected by water pressure. cover plate 31
The upper surface 47 is slightly larger in area than the lower surface 48 thereof. The water under pressure in chamber 68 therefore exerts a net downward force Z on valve plate 61. Both the lower surface of the valve plate 61 and the upper surface of the cover plate 28 are smooth, so this net downward force acting on the valve plate 31
act to press against the inlet hole 60 thereby forming a seal between both plates and when the valve plate 31 is in its closed position.
Close.

One outlet 36 provided in the cup-shaped wall 66 acts as a nozzle for directing the drainage water approximately parallel to the lower wall 4.

In use, this water travels as a jet across the air gap 50'Y into a cowl formed integrally with the lower wall 4. The sloped surface 52 of the cowl 50 is curved.

The brush is directed through an opening 53 in the lower wall and into a cavity 54 between the upper surface of the lower wall 4 and the upper surface of the front disk portion 12 of the brush. This void 54 is shown in FIG.

Therefore, as a result of this air gap 50.

In the event of a reverse siphon effect, there shall be sufficient separation between the motor outlet and the area contaminated by the cleaning agent to prevent air and cleaning agent or contaminated water from being drawn back through the motor and into the water supply conduit. .

Preferably, a chamber 55 for containing a liquid or other cleaning agent is provided in the brush body 2 at the end opposite to the end provided with the handle 6. A removable plug-like cover 56 may be provided to selectively allow cleaning agents or the like to be introduced into and removed from the chamber 55 for filling. The cleaning agent chamber 55 is preferably located directly above the front movable brush head 8, such that an outlet 57 of this chamber 55 dispenses cleaning agent directly or nearly directly onto or into the head. It is well placed. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the cleaning agent chamber 55 is in close spaced relation to the upper surface of the adjacent head 8, with a passageway extending into and passing through the lower wall portion 59. 60
forms the outlet 57 of the chamber. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the lower wall portion 59 and the brush head 8 is preferably kept to a minimum for reasons that will become clear later.

The opening 56 in the lower wall 4 and the outlet 57 of the cleaning agent chamber 55 both extend into the cavity 54 between the front brush head 8 and the lower wall 4. Both brush heads 8 have at least one channel 61 passing through the hub 14 , which in the case of the front brush head forms an outlet from the cavity 54 . during use.

The pressure in this cavity 54 is relatively high as a result of the drainage that enters the cavity 54 directly from the cowl 51. However, there is a location of low pressure near the inlet of the flow path 61. As the brush head 8 rotates, the reduced pressure point near the channel 61 creates a suction effect, thus.

Each time the flow path 61 is changed to the outlet 57, the cleaning agent is transferred to the outlet 57.
to be drawn out from However, exit 57
and the flow path 61 are not lined up, otherwise the empty space 5
The relatively high pressure present in 4 prevents cleaning agent from migrating out of outlet 57.

The outlet passage 60 of the cleaning agent chamber 55 is preferably controlled by a valve so that it is completely closed or fully or partially open. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 62 includes a rod-like member 63 having a recess 64 that projects into the outlet passageway 60 and can be partially or fully aligned with the outlet passageway 60. The rod-like member 63 can be rotated to align its recess with the outlet passage, and for that purpose the end wall 5 of the brush body 2
A manual handle or knob 55 is attached to protrude through the. The handle or knob can be grasped from the outside of the brush body 2.

The valve 62 described above can control the amount of cleaning agent dispensed from the chamber 55. The rate of cleaning agent dispensing is controlled by the rotational speed of the brush head 8, which rotation is caused by the intermittent suction effect described above.

The rotation speed of the brush head 80 is determined by the adjustable valve 61 of the water inlet chamber 38.
Controlled by

Preferably, the drive shaft 23 is connected to each movable head 8 via a gear train 66 as shown in FIG. 7 to ensure a reliable driving connection between the motor 22 and the head 8. A drive pinion 67 is fixed to or integrally formed with the portion of the shaft 23 that projects below the lower wall 4 of the main body. A driven gear 68 meshing with the drive pinion 67 can be fixed to or formed integrally with the disk portion 12 of each movable head 8 .

In the preferred construction, the water supply system to the gear motor 22 includes a handle 6 and a water inlet chamber 68. For that purpose,
The handle 6 is tubular and has at its outer end a male connection means 70 for connection to a supply conduit. The handle 6 is preferably adjustable relative to the brush body so that its angular orientation can be changed to suit the requirements of use. Therefore, one handle 6 is a pivot joint 71
can be connected to the brush body via a joint which allows the handle to rotate relative to the rotatable brush head 80 about an axis extending substantially transversely to the axis of rotation a.

Preferably, adjustable tightening or locking means are provided to allow selective use of the handle adjustment means. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, this means either holds the cooperating ratchet plate 73 and the ratchet plate in engagement with each other, thereby preventing adjustment of the handle, or alternatively separates the ratchet plate, thereby preventing the handle from being adjusted. It includes a door 4, an adjustable fastener, and a door 4, which can be adjusted to make the door adjustable.

The tubular member 69 described above is preferably connected via a flexible tube 7 to a similar member 79 provided at the outer end of the handle 6. This tube 7 extends through the inside of the handle 6 and also through the transverse joint 71, so that it can be bent or bent as the arrangement of the handle changes.

In the illustrated construction, a flexible guard plate 77 extends over at least one side of the pivot joint 71 to fill the variable dimension space t between the handle 6 and the brush body 2. The end edge 78 of the handle A with the joint 71 slides on the guard plate 77 during adjustment of the position of the handle 6.

End portions 79 and 80 of the guard plate 770 are positioned inside the handle 6 and the brush body, respectively, to hold the guard plate 77 from separating from the assembly.

A snap-on male connector 70 at the outer end of the handle can be connected to a supply conduit, such as a garden hose.

If desired, a rigid handle extension can be provided to increase the length of the handle to suit the requirements.

This extension can snap into the connector 70 described above and have a similar connector at its outer end.

Many of the brush components described above can be made of plastic and include the drive motor and its internal components.

(Effects) The brush 1 described above has the advantage of reliably driving the movable head 8. The torque exerted by the drive motor on these heads automatically increases as a resistance to increasing rotational speed. Furthermore, one important advantage is the way in which water is delivered to the rotating head 8, particularly to parts of the brush that are contaminated by the cleaning agent, and that this method prevents the main supply to which the cleaning agent is connected as a result of a reverse siphon action. This is because it avoids the danger of being drawn back to the source.

Finally, it should be understood that various changes, modifications, and additions may be made to the structure and arrangement of the parts described above without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the brush of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the brush shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the brush drive motor shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. An exploded perspective view of the brush drive motor, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the brush,
Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the front part of the brush, Figure 7 is a plan view of the gear train that drives the brush, and Figure 8 is the ■-V of Figure 2.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view taken along ffl and Ill.

Claims (19)

[Claims] (1) a body, at least one brush head rotatably mounted to the body, and a fluid-operated drive motor mounted to the body and connected to the brush head via a positive drive connection; A cleaning brush characterized in that a brush head is rotated in response to the operation of a motor, and the drive motor is a gear motor. (2) a gear motor is formed in one wall of the housing with a hollow housing, at least two gear members rotatably mounted within the housing and each geared to rotate in response to rotation of the other; Claim 1: a fluid inlet formed in one wall of the housing; and a fluid outlet formed in one wall of the housing, whereby the gear motor rotates in response to passage of fluid through the housing through the inlet and the outlet. cleaning brush. (3) A cleaning brush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive motor is connected to the brush head via gear means. (4) a drive pinion connected to the motor such that the gear means rotates in response to actuation of the motor; and a driven gear operatively in meshing engagement with the drive motor and connected to the brush head for rotation therewith. A cleaning brush according to claim 3, comprising: (5) Two brush heads are provided, each driven gear is connected to each brush head, and a drive pinion is cooperatively engaged with each driven gear. cleaning brush. (6) Manually adjustable valve means provided in the body and operative to control the flow rate of fluid through the hollow housing and thereby regulate the rotational speed of the single brush head or each brush head. A cleaning brush according to any one of claims 2 to 5. (7) The valve means comprises a valve plate including a plate rotatable about an axis of rotation between open and closed positions, the valve plate having a through hole offset from the axis of rotation, the hole aligned with the inlet of the motor. 6. The cleaning brush of claim 5, wherein the valve plate is rotatable to an open position. (8) The valve plate has upper and lower surfaces that are subjected to the fluid pressure of the working fluid during use, and the upper surface has a larger area that receives the fluid pressure than the lower surface, so that the valve plate is affected by the working fluid during use. 8. The cleaning brush of claim 7, wherein a net downward force is applied to cause the valve plate to be in the closed position. (9) A main body and two brush heads attached to the main body, each of which rotates relative to each other about an axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the other brush head. A brush head, a fluid-operated drive motor, and means for drivingly connecting the motor to the brush head so that the brush heads rotate in opposite directions in response to actuation of the motor. and a cleaning brush. (10) The cleaning brush of claim 9, wherein the rotatable brush head is connected to a drive motor by a drive train. (11) The cleaning brush according to claim 10, wherein the drive train includes a pinion gear driven by a drive motor, and the pinion gear meshes with a ring gear coaxially engaged with the brush. (12) a body, at least one brush head rotatably mounted on the body, a fluid-operated drive motor, a fluid outlet for discharging fluid passing through the motor; a drive means connected for rotation of the brush head in response to the movement of the brush, a storage chamber for the cleaning agent, a chamber outlet for dispensing the cleaning agent, and a possibility between the two outlets for the cleaning agent to flow into the motor. A cleaning brush comprising: means for forming an air gap to minimize air gap. (13) The outlet of the drive motor ends in a nozzle facing a cowl fixed to the main body, and the cowl is shaped to direct the fluid discharged through the nozzle toward the brush head, with an air gap between the nozzle and the cowl. 13. The cleaning brush according to claim 12, wherein the cleaning brush is formed as follows. (14) a body on which at least one brush head is rotatably mounted; a fluid-operated drive motor for rotating the brush head; 1. A cleaning brush comprising: a reservoir having an outlet thereon; and means operative to sequentially open and close the outlet in response to rotation of the brush head. (15) the means comprises a gap between the body and the brush head, and fluid discharged from the motor is directed into the gap;
the brush head has a disc-shaped upper surface with outlet holes passing therethrough; the reservoir has outlet holes directing the cleaning agent into the gap;
15. The outlet aperture and the outlet of the reservoir are arranged so that they are aligned at least once per revolution of the brush head, so that cleaning agent is drawn into the outlet aperture. cleaning brush. 16. The cleaning brush of claim 15, wherein the outlet from the reservoir has control means associated therewith for regulating the flow of cleaning agent through the outlet. (17) The body has a handle attached thereto, the handle being connected to the body by a pivot connection and means provided for locking the handle to the body in various positions for adjusting the angle. A cleaning brush according to any one of items 1 to 16. 18. A cleaning brush according to claim 1, wherein the one or each brush head includes a bristle support component and a hub, the bristle support component being removable from the hub. 19. The cleaning brush of claim 18, wherein the bristle support component includes an annular support adapted to rotate with the hub in use.